What do employers want? What do you want? Is there a way you can focus on studying something which sparks your interest while still feeling positive about your post-graduation career options?
In a prior post, we’ve written a bit about how your major does not necessarily have to equal or limit your post-college career. A recent New York Times article hit on just that point, also highlighting the disconnect between what students think employers want and what employers actually want:
According to a survey described in an article in Canadian HR Reporter: “Most employers cite communication skills as the most important skill for a candidate to possess, while generation Y (aged 18 to 35) believe employers are looking for experience, found the survey by Toronto’s George Brown College.”
With that quote in mind, committing to a major may not seem quite as daunting. No matter what your particular focus or major, multiple studies, including NACE’s annual survey of employers, indicate that employers place importance on transferable skills — such as the ability to communicate and work well in a team.
One important thing to remember — these skills aren’t relegated to just one academic major. Whether you’re studying art history or organizing a fundraiser for your favorite student organization, chances are that you’re already sharpening the skills that potential employers value most.
Experience STILL matters. I looked for jobs for 5 months and all the employers were indeed impressed with my cover letter and resume (clear communication skills were there) but they told me that I didn’t get the job because I just didn’t have the “right experience.” This advice is frustrating to me because I have THOSE skills. I’m sure they helped to get interviews but they still doesn’t get me the job at the end.